Anthony Davis Dominates, but LeBron James Sits with a Knee Injury as the Lakers Lose In Philly

The Lakers just can't keep the band together. Two nights after the team's Big Three of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook FINALLY got on the floor together after six-ish weeks of waiting, the grand experiment was again put on hold Thursday in Philly. LeBron James woke up with a sore left knee and couldn't suit up against the Sixers. Anthony Davis played, and played perhaps his best game of the year, but it wasn't enough to overcome a solid Philly squad. In part because the supporting cast just didn't show up. Davis and Russell Westbrook did their part, but literally nobody else showed up for L.A. in any meaningful way. For the Lakers to win, that needed to happen. It didn't. So once again they dip below the .500 mark, with a tough game Friday in Charlotte and another in Atlanta Sunday morning to cap off the road trip. There is much to unpack, starting with the distressing notion of LeBron just waking up with pain. It happens, particularly with players sporting the mileage he has, but still, the Lakers aren't going anywhere without a healthy LeBron, and there certainly is concern the load he's carried the last few weeks could catch up to him. Does he play Friday? Who knows? Meanwhile, Davis gave Lakers fans a reason for optimism, relishing his battle with Joel Embiid and seeming to embrace the role he has to play going forward, judging by his postgame comments. For the Lakers to have a shot, he needs to be "this guy" for the rest of the year. And the supporting cast needs to be better. Finally, Carmelo Anthony was involved in what seems to be a more common occurrence at NBA games this season: Abusive fans being called out by players, then escorted from the building. Is this sort of thing happening more often than it did a few years ago? Are players just putting up with less now than they used to? HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT 1: LeBron is absent, Anthony Davis dominates. The Lakers just can't seem to have good things without bad things balancing them out. SEGMENT 2: More on A.D.'s dominant performance... and what was lacking from the rest of the supporting cast. SEGMENT 3: Are fans getting worse? Are players putting up with less s***? Both? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Built Bar Built Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKED15” and you’ll get 15% off your next order. BetOnline AG There is only 1 place that has you covered and 1 place we trust. Betonline.ag! Sign up today for a free account at betonline.ag and use that promocode: LOCKEDON for your 50% welcome bonus. PrizePicks Don’t hesitate, check out PrizePicks.com and use promo code: “NBA” or go to your app store and download the app today. PrizePicks is daily fantasy made easy! TrueBill Don’t fall for subscription scams. Start cancelling today at Truebill.com/LOCKEDONNBA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices